Giza
Location
About
The Giza Plateau near Cairo contains the Great Pyramid of Khufu (the last remaining of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx. Built during the 4th Dynasty (approximately 2580-2510 BCE), the Great Pyramid stood as the world's tallest structure for 3,800 years. The complex is the supreme achievement of Egyptian royal funerary architecture.
Significance
The Giza pyramids represent the peak of the ancient Egyptian theological program — the pharaoh's guaranteed resurrection and eternal reign, his soul ascending by the pyramid's sloping sides to join the imperishable stars. The alignment of the Great Pyramid to true north to within 3/60th of a degree remains a remarkable engineering achievement. The site has fascinated humanity for millennia and generated more archaeological study than any other site on earth.
History & Historical Arc
Khufu (Cheops) commissioned the Great Pyramid around 2560 BCE. His son Khafre built the second pyramid and probably the …
Archaeological Notes
The Great Pyramid contains approximately 2.3 million stone blocks averaging 2.5 tons. Recent muon tomography (2017) reve…
Key Features & Structures
- Great Pyramid of Khufu (146m original height)
- Great Sphinx
Visitor Information
Open daily. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry to pyramid interiors additional fee. Grand Egyptian Museum nearby (opened …
Related Figures
In the Bible
Source References
- Herodotus, Histories 2.124-127
- Lehner, The Complete Pyramids (1997)